Best Stock Brokers in India 2026
Independent, data-backed reviews of India's top brokers. Compare charges, platforms, and services to find your perfect match.
Top Rated Stock Brokers — 2026 Rankings
Rated on platform quality, charges, customer service, and research. Updated regularly.
Zerodha was founded by Nithin Kamath in 2010 with a simple mission: make stock market investing accessible to every Indian by eliminating high brokera...
Upstox (formerly RKSV Securities) was founded in 2009 and is backed by Ratan Tata, Tiger Global, and GIC Singapore. With 1.2 crore+ active clients and...
Angel One (formerly Angel Broking) was founded in 1987 as a full-service broker and has transformed into a tech-first discount broker. With 2.1 crore+...
Groww was founded in 2016 and began as a mutual fund platform before expanding into stocks. Now publicly listed (March 2026 IPO at Rs.100, currently R...
ICICI Direct is the brokerage arm of ICICI Securities (listed company), a subsidiary of ICICI Bank — India's largest private bank. Launched 2000. Pion...
5paisa is a digital broking subsidiary of IIFL Holdings (India Infoline), one of India's largest financial services groups. Founded 2016. Rs.20 flat b...
Broker Charges Comparison 2026
| Broker | Type | Equity Delivery | Intraday F&O | Account Opening | Annual Fee | Rating | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zerodha | Full Service | Zero (Rs.0) | Rs.20 or 0.03% whichever is lower | Free (Online, Aadhaar-based) | Rs.300/year (Demat AMC) | ★4.7 | Open Free |
| Upstox | Full Service | Zero (Rs.0) | Rs.20 or 0.05% whichever is lower | Free (Online, Aadhaar-based) | Rs.0 (No AMC) | ★4.4 | Open Free |
| Angel One | Full Service | Zero (Rs.0) | Rs.20 or 0.25% whichever is lower | Free (Online, Aadhaar-based) | Rs.240/year | ★4.3 | Open Free |
| Groww | Full Service | Zero (Rs.0) | Rs.20 or 0.05% whichever is lower | Free (Online, Aadhaar-based) | Rs.0 (No AMC, ever) | ★4.3 | Open Free |
| ICICI Direct | Full Service | 0.275% Prime / 0.55% regular | 0.025% Prime / 0.05% regular | Free (3-in-1 Account with ICICI Bank) | Rs.700/year | ★4.1 | Open Free |
| 5paisa | Full Service | Rs.20 flat per order (not free) | Rs.20 flat per order | Free (Online) | Rs.300/year | ★3.8 | Open Free |
How to Choose the Best Stock Broker in India
Choosing a stock broker is one of the most important decisions for any investor. The right broker can save you thousands of rupees in charges while giving you access to better tools, research, and support.
Discount vs Full Service Brokers
Discount brokers like Zerodha, Upstox, and Angel One charge a flat fee per trade (typically ₹20) or zero brokerage on delivery. They are best for cost-conscious traders and investors who do their own research. Full-service brokers like ICICI Direct charge a percentage of trade value but offer dedicated relationship managers, research reports, and integrated 3-in-1 accounts.
Key Factors to Evaluate
Before opening a Demat account, evaluate: brokerage charges, platform reliability, customer support responsiveness, IPO application process, margin funding availability, and whether the broker is regulated by SEBI and a member of NSE/BSE. Always check for hidden charges like platform fees, inactivity charges, and physical DIS charges.